About Fergus Matthews Fergus is a qualified Social Worker. He has been counselling for more than 20 years and has extensive postgraduate training in the various forms of family therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy and other counselling techniques. Fergus has practiced and trained in Canberra, N.S.W. and Western Australia. For the past twelve years, he’s specialised in Relationship and Family Therapy. Prior to establishing his private practice, he worked with Relationships Australia (then the Marriage Guidance Council) in Canberra and Western Australia as a counsellor, supervisor, and trainer. As a professional trainer he developed training programs and trained other counsellors in the skills of working with couples and families and the special issues that impact on couples and Families at various times in the life cycle. He also has experience working in the fields of community health and rehabilitation.

The hallmark of Fergus’s work is that he approaches all subjects with passion and enthusiasm. He works predominantly within a ‘systems’ framework, but varies this with a number of complementary clinical approaches. His practice also reflects the reality that many people don’t come to counselling for long periods of time, so he works in a way to attempt to achieve outcomes as soon as possible. His work always includes very ‘concrete’ strategies on how to manage the various issues better.

Fergus lives and works in the port city of Fremantle, in Perth, Western Australia. He is married to his partner Rachel and is the father of two children, Leila and Hamish. He shares home duties with Rachel, who also balances a professional career with her role at home.

Fergus has travelled extensively and has had a wide range of life experience. He has had worked in range of occupations and was successful in small business before coming to counselling.

Fergus has been a regular commentator on relationship issues for A.B.C. radio and other media (see, for example, abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_health/Transcripts/s821802.html).

In 2002, coinciding with a workshop called, ‘Late Starters’ (for people who have children after thirty five), Fergus and his family were featured on a health and lifestyle program on Channel 31 (westone.wa.gov.au/portaladmin/PDF/westoneupload/factsheet_parenting.pdf) .

Fergus Matthews offers counselling to couples, individuals, and family groups.